Trained volunteers to support chronically ill, multimorbid elderly between hospital and domesticity - a systematic review of one-on-one-intervention types, effects, and underlying training concepts.

Background: New approaches are needed to address the challenges of demographic change, staff shortages, and societal change in the care of the elderly. While volunteering has barely been established as a pillar of the welfare state in several countries, legislators and nonprofit or community-based organizations in some countries favor the increased integration of volunteers, as they can rely on many dedicated people. When caring for the multimorbid elderly, the transition from hospital to domesticity involves certain risks.